Magic in Morocco

May 12-18, 2019 // Sahara Pilgrimage & Marrakech Retreat

THE MAGIC

What's Unique

The Sahara Desert, the world’s largest hot desert is an explorers dream come true and we are going to be spending 4 days sinking into it and being courted by it. There’s nothing quite like seeing the sunrise/sunset in the Sahara, feeling the heat of the midday sun and seeing the stars that light up the empty sky. We have designed this trip specifically to harness our inner power in a place that exudes its own unique natural force. This is not a fufu, fancy, typical yoga retreat. We are driving over the high atlas mountains, anti atlas mountains and then through the Sahara to arrive at our comfortable but not over-elaborate camp in the desert where will embrace the essence of nomadic life. If you’re looking for a totally relaxing retreat or vacation, this isn’t for you. If you’re looking for a life changing experience that will push your edge a bit and then bring you back home to Marrakech to retreat to riad life, this is the perfect trip.

THE HEART // Our intention is to go into one of the most intense climates in the world to uncover the magic of the nature in order to let it inform our individual journey inward, which will include the practices of mediation and yoga on daily basis.

OUR PROCESS // Did you know that we build all our trips from scratch? To learn more about our process and what goes into the making of a Yogascapes retreat, click here.

THE LIFE ON RETREAT

4 Days Sahara // 3 Days Marrakech

Camel rides in the Sahara desert is an experience of a lifetime. Saharan nights are special, starting with an amazing desert sunset over the sand dunes, followed by delicious Moroccan food and finishing with a spectacular view of the milky way galaxy.

Leaving Marrakech in a comfortable land cruiser with our experienced drivers, winding your way through the Atlas Mountains, this is real Berber country. The scenery changes dramatically as do the people, you drive south across the magnificent High Atlas Mountains and the Tiz-n-Tichka pass arriving at lunch time at the impressive and well-preserved kasbahs and UNESCO world heritage site, the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. Stopping here for the night, you will get the chance to visit this picturesque fortified village, which has been used as a film location in numerous famous films such as ‘Gladiator’, ‘Alexander’ and ‘The Mummy’.

Your Morocco tour then takes you along the Draa Valley with its ocean of green palms and majestic purple mountains. The Draa Valley once served as a link between the Sahara desert and the North of Morocco for the trading caravan route that passed by the river for centuries. The last main town is Zagora a cool place to stop and buy your turban.

Set in majestic Sahara Desert is our magical Desert Tented Camp Adounia and Moroccan Berber team, waiting to welcome you with mint tea and Moroccan food.

After starry nights in the desert, we travel back towards Marrakech to enjoy the decorative design and creative setting at Fellah Hotel. Just 20 minutes from Marrakech, we’ll enjoy a colorful cooking class and spend time in Moroccan Hammams, soaking up this practice of wellness.

Each day on retreat features delicious meals to keep you healthy for a full day of movement, adventure and relaxation, 1-2 incredible yoga classes designed to bring you more and more into alignment, and plenty of time to yourself for napping, reading, journaling, or choosing your own adventure .

Testimonials & Our Story

YOUR TEACHER

KERRI KELLY

Kerri is the founder of CTZNWELL, an emerging movement to mobilize people into a powerful force for wellbeing for all. She spent seven years as Executive Director of the non-profit Off the Mat, Into the World and is currently board chair. She is relentless in her commitment to elevating leaders, groups and projects to next-level social change makers through her work with The Catalyst Collective, an innovative consultancy designed for mission-based individuals, groups, and organizations that want to be successful and make a difference in the world.

Kerri Kelly is a force of nature. She is a skilled yoga teacher, motivating students to effect change in their lives. She’s a fierce coach, whose ability to turn ideas into purpose and action is a gift. And she plays big; straddling the mindfulness and political worlds, so that the social change makers—the visionaries—she works with can mobilize and organize effectively.

Kerri was on the fast track in the marketing world until 9/11 hit, when she lost her stepdad, a NYC fireman. That was the wake up call that got Kerri off the “should” path and into purpose. To her surprise, yoga was the most powerful source of healing and transformation during that time. She took the leap and has been on a crusade ever since to elevate wellbeing and help others discover their greatest potential.

Kerri is recognized across communities for her inspired work to bridge transformational practice with social change and politics. She’s been instrumental in translating the tools of wellbeing into practical application and social action in the public sector, working in collaboration with community organizers, spiritual leaders and policy makers. She is a commitment to personal transformation that leads to powerful social change.

YOUR HOME

Camp Adounia & Fellah Hotel

Camel rides in the Sahara desert are an experience of a lifetime. Saharan nights are special, starting with an amazing desert sunset over the sand dunes, followed by delicious Moroccan food and finishing with a spectacular view of the milky way galaxy.

Leaving Marrakech in a comfortable land cruiser with our experienced drivers, winding your way through the Atlas Mountains, this is real Berber country. The scenery changes dramatically as do the people, you drive south across the magnificent High Atlas Mountains and the Tiz-n-Tichka pass arriving at lunch time at the impressive and well-preserved kasbahs and UNESCO world heritage site, the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. Stopping here for the night, you will get the chance to visit this picturesque fortified village, which has been used as a film location in numerous famous films such as ‘Gladiator’, ‘Alexander’ and ‘The Mummy’.

Your Morocco tour then takes you along the Draa Valley with its ocean of green palms and majestic purple mountains. The Draa Valley once served as a link between the Sahara desert and the North of Morocco for the trading caravan route that passed by the river for centuries. The last main town is Zagora a cool place to stop and buy your turban.

Set in majestic Sahara Desert is our magical Desert Tented Camp Adounia and Moroccan Berber team, waiting to welcome you with mint tea and Moroccan food.

After starry nights in the desert, we travel back towards Marrakech to enjoy the decorative design and creative setting at Fellah Hotel. Just 20 minutes from Marrakech, we’ll enjoy a colorful cooking class and spend time in Moroccan Hammams, soaking up this practice of wellness.

Each day on retreat features delicious meals to keep you healthy for a full day of movement, adventure and relaxation, 1-2 incredible yoga classes designed to bring you more and more into alignment, and plenty of time to yourself for napping, reading, journaling, or choosing your own adventure .

After 3 nights in the desert, we travel to Fellah Hotel near Marrakech, self-described as “an eclectic mix of tradition, design, and comfort to relax your mind and refresh your soul.” The hotel is meticulously decorated with a fluid blend of traditional Moroccan flair and contemporary design. Fellah boasts a vibrant yet serene setting for the perfect getaway, located just 20 minutes away from the renowned city of Marrakech.

THE JOURNEY

Travel Info

Arrival:
Arrive by 3:30pm May 12th – We will be meeting at the airport then taking a long drive over the Atlas Mountains to sleep the night in Ben Et Haiddou, before heading the rest of the way to the Sahara.

Airport:
Marrakech Menara International Airport.

Suggested Travel:
Book from JFK or Fly Through London/Other Major European cities, Madrid, Lisbon, Barcelona.

Depart:
Transfers to Marrakech or Marrakech Airport are included between 9am-12pm, but you are welcome to depart later if you prefer. We can help arrange alternative transfers for you (not included). We suggest flights after 11am to have a relaxing morning but we will be 20 minutes from the airport.

THE BACKBONE

Of Every Yogascapes Retreat

Our mission is to connect people to their deepest purpose/truths, wellbeing and inspiration. We combine vibrant yoga and wellness teachers with incredible guides, local culture, nourishing food, inspiring adventure and a crew of fun-loving people from around the world. Along this journey, you’ll have a Yogascapes Guide supporting you every step of the way, from signing up to helping you on a glacier.

While every single retreat we create is unique based on the local culture, incredible teachers, the time of year and the environment, every experience is built on the following pillars.

MOVEMENT & MEDITATION
Each retreat is filled with a mix of yoga, mantra, mudra, meditation and more. To learn more about the specifics of this retreat, check out the schedule or contact us.

FREE TIME & OPTIONS
When you come on a yogascapes retreat, nothing is mandatory and we build in plenty of time for you to be own your own, to rest more, to explore more, or to be open to whatever shows up.

NOURISHMENT
We love food, period. Delicious, healthy, beautiful, thoughtful food that nourishes the body and inspires the creative soul. Food is where we come together to replenish our bodies and where our community is built.

SENSORY EXPLORATION
Traveling is adventure of the senses and we build each trip to open our senses up to the world and be open to the world through our senses.

DEEP LEARNING & INTEGRATIONWe believe the experiences that last a lifetime are the ones in which you are learning and integrating what you learn into your life. Our teachers and guides create unique opportunities for deepening and expansion of your practice.

REST AND REJUVENATION
We know that life is overwhelming at times and our nervous systems beg not only for the medicine of adventure, but for deep rest and rejuvenation. A week of quiet nights and deep sleep, time for napping and giving yourself permission to do nothing at all.

ACTIVATING CREATIVITY & PURPOSEOur mission is to connect people to their purpose by exposing them to practices, people and places that bring out their deepest truths and desires. Each one has the intention to bring you into a deeper connection with yourself and your true gifts.

COMMUNITY & SUSTAINABILITYCome with no story to defend and no judgement to be had. Meet people who will change your life and/or share in all the ups and downs. Connect to old friends and family in a new way, on a retreat, or when you go back home. Our own healing is the healing of the planet and so we work work with eco-lodges and companies that have similar ethos and missions.

​Giving Back: 2 trees are planted every retreat sign up to help protect our planet and natural resources. At check out, we also offer you the opportunity to give to inspiring local and international projects. Find out more here.

JOIN THE JOURNEY

May 12-18, 2018

HOW TO SAY YES TO A JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME.STEP 1: Learn all about the trip; the theme, the teachers, the venue, the location, our policies, past photos, etc. STEP 2: Choose a room below and reserve your spot as soon as you’re ready for early bird prices and best options. STEP 4: You’ll get a confirmation + 3 emails leading up to your trip preparing you for an amazing adventure. STEP 5: Drive, fly or boat to meet our team and group in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

ANYTIME:Write us at help@yogascapes.com or call us at 510-629-9191 if you have any questions about the trip, how to sign up or anything else that comes up along the way.
By reserving your space through placing your deposit with us, you are agreeing to the stated policies in our Agreement. Please read all details below.

INCLUDES

6 nights accommodationAirport Pick-ups at 3:30pm on the 12thAll Yoga Classes Transportation in 4×4 vehicles to the desert and backAll meals except for lunches on the road Market Tour & Cooking Class in Marrakech

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES/NOT INCLUDED

Lunches on the road
Hammam or spa treatments
Alternative Transportation back to the airport from the Hotel

Brace yourself, you will be taken to a booking page where you get to choose your specific room.

YOUR INVESMENT

Choose Your Room

POLICIES & TERMS

Get Clear Before You Purchase

We encourage those that can’t afford the full price option to sign up early for the lowest price. We strive to maintain a balance between offering our programs to the widest range of participants and running a sustainable and thriving company so that we can continue to create and share our experiences with you. Please inquire about payment plans. We can split up your payments to make it work, however final payments are due 60 days prior to the start date of your retreat.

By reserving your space through placing your deposit with us, you are agreeing to the stated policies in our Agreement. Please read in full and please note:

All prices are per/person USD. All bookings include a refundable deposit that is 50% of the total trip cost. Final payments are due 60 days before the start date of the trip to keep your spot secure.

If cancellation (always in writing) takes place within 7 days of booking, 100% of the trip price is refundable including the deposit, unless retreat start date is less than 60 days from booking date.

If cancellation takes place 120 days prior to the retreat start date, any payments made will be refunded within 30 days of cancellation, plus 75% of your deposit.

If cancellation takes place 90 days prior to the retreat start date, any payments made will be refunded within 30 days of cancellation, plus 50% of your deposit.

If cancellation takes place 60 days or less prior to the retreat start date, 100% of the trip price and deposit will be forfeited.

YOGASCAPES reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary by our team, trip leaders, teachers or partners. In the rare case of a cancellation on the part of YOGASCAPES (due to political unrest, dangerous weather, or low sign-ups) we will offer a transfer to another trip or a full refund of your funds. We require all participants to purchase travel insurance and highly encourage them to purchase “cancel for any reason” to protect them against the rare chance of cancellation.